LUNCHTIME FOR CHANGE
June 14th 12-1 PM
Location: Anywhere (Giving this event a city/state was just to help it show up in searches. Participate wherever you are!)
The atrocity of tearing apart families seeking refuge and asylum must end. If you want to participate in the June 14th day of action but can’t come to an event in person, join us for a virtual event to aid families who are being detained and psychologically tortured with separation by ICE. Between 12 and 1 PM on June 14th (or whenever your lunch break is), take as many of the actions on this list as possible. Tweet and share your actions – and a link to this page — on your social media networks with the hashtag #FamiliesBelongTogether to make a greater impact.
ACTION 1: SIGN PETITIONS
Why do petitions matter? Petitions present the emotions and demands of large groups to politicians succinctly and effectively. With petitions, people come together to raise one collective voice, and that voice is amplified with each signature. These petitions also let the online community – including asylum seekers, immigrants, refugees, and other people living in fear of family separation by ICE – know that there are thousands of people who disagree with ICE policies. Here are some petitions where you can add your voice:
https://action.aclu.org/petition/separating-families
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-secretary-nielsen?source=da
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/end-family-separation
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/where-are-the-children
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_family_separation
https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/petition/add-your-name-to-dhs-secretary-nielsen-stop-separating-migrant-families-at-the-border
ACTION 2: CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Your elected officials represent and work for you. Let them know that you believe #FamilesBelongTogether, and that they need to take action on this matter if they want to retain your vote.
The League of Women Voters has a tool that gives you the contact information for all of your congressional, state and local representatives. Simply enter your zipcode, get your script ready, call your members of congress, and keep going to make as many calls as you can.
https://hq-salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5950/getLocal.jsp
Here is a sample script you can use:
Hello, my name is _________. I live in _________, and you represent me. I am calling to demand that you speak out against and work to end the horrific policy of separating families seeking refuge and asylum in the United States. I want you to know that, as a voter, I am paying attention to your voting record on this issue. Families belong together.
ACTION 3: DONATE
ActBlue has created a tool in which your donation is spread either equally or in the amounts you wish between 8 organizations “working to protect kids separated from their families by ICE.” The 8 organizations are: Human Rights First, We Belong Together, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, Womens Refugee Commission, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), United We Dream Action, La Union Del Pueblo Entero, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). You can donate to these 8 organizations in one simple step here:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kidsattheborder
If you are interested in donating locally, many cities and states have local organizations that provide legal support to immigrants, especially those seeking asylum and who are impacted by the family separation policy. Conduct a search for “free legal help for immigrants in (your state)” to discover your local organizations, and donate to support their efforts. Remember: because of airplanes, immigrants have many points of entry. Family separation isn’t limited to border states… it’s happening where you live as well.
ACTION 4: GET IT TRENDING!
Participating in the conversation online is crucial for the visibility of this campaign. Share your support for immigrant families on Twitter and other social networks by using the hashtag #FamiliesBelongTogether. Here is a sample message of support that you can use:
I believe that #FamiliesBelongTogether. I stand with immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, and will do all I can to #resist the family separation policy currently being enforced. @familiesbelong
Posts that include images get greater visibility than text-only messages on social media. To boost the impact of your message of support, include a photo of yourself holding something with #FamiliesBelongTogether written on it.
If you want more ideas for what to say, or to make multiple posts without repeating yourself, Families Belong Together has created a Digital Tool Kit. This document includes over a dozen sample messages, as well as links to images and logos sized for social media platforms. You can view the document here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LkrG7znbjG0NKpJlnHH-O6jf66SlmiiRMEVDIgPVI8U/edit
THANK YOU!
Whether you only have 5 minutes on your lunch break to sign a couple petitions, or whether you spend the full hour doing everything on this list, your actions matter and help. Thank you for participating in the Lunchtime for Change.
